-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Qatar , a tiny but influential Persian Gulf nation , will have a new leader , according to a news outlet there .

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani , the emir of Qatar , will hand over power to his son , Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani , Al Jazeera reported .

Al Thani , who gave the news to ruling family members and prominent elements of society , will address the nation at 8 a.m. -LRB- 1 a.m. ET -RRB- Tuesday . He has declared the day a national holiday .

The energy-rich emirate has backed Syrian rebels in their fight against the Bashar al-Assad regime , and Taliban militants have set up an office there amid diplomacy to end the Afghan war .

The prestigious soccer World Cup will be held there in 2022 .

Social media was abuzz over the news , with people thanking Al Thani for his efforts . One tweeter said , `` U changed a tiny desert hamlet to a powerful economic empire . Deeply indebted . '' Another said , `` I have watched Qatar become an economic , sports , education and political leader . #ThankyouHamad for everything . You will always be in our hearts . ''

CNN 's Schams Elazar contributed to this report

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The emir will address the nation early Tuesday

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Qatar 's clout has jumped in recent years

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The news was all over social media